New V85 - Finally Caved

[Bulldog9]

I have one of these on my Stornello and really like being able to keep an eye on oil temp.

**EDIT** Installed one and it fits/works well.

https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=281&products_id=2794

[Bulldog9]

Well, I completed the first service on the V85. A very nice motorcycle, but I think I need a larger windscreen for longer and higher speeds. I also want to drop the forks in the TT, and see if removing the center bash plate will lower temps around my shins and feet. The V85 is hotter on my shins than any other Guzzi.  I'm very happy. I am surprised how hot it is in hot weather and slow riding, especially the right leg. MTF

I also wired in the Greg bender relay and power lead and wired up the LED lights. They are a unique unit. The Yellow are my DRLs and wired to switched power so always on, and the white are wired through the relay to the handlebar switch. They project flat yellow and white beams and the headlight fills in the center. I still have to wire in the rear tail light.

I REALLY like The Zard Exhaust. The sound and look are perfect. I am experimenting with DB reducers in and out. At idle is sounds like a twin can, and has a V8 pattern. NO droning and never too loud, but is noticeable where the stock is impossible to hear at speed, and none if the tinny sound I've heard on others.

All the Mods are complete.
- Isotta Crash Bars
- Givi Tankbag lock
- Tool box
- LED lights
- Zard Exhaust

The first surprise was to see that the Zard has a clampless connection to the cat outlet. It is thick and a tight press fit. Minor leaking at first.






A few pics of the finished result and one on the BRP




First Service went off without a hitch, valves were a smidge tight but all went well. Very little spooge on the magnet. Also, taking Jim Hamlins advice, I removed the bashplate leaving the brackets attached. Was an easy on and off affair.






Pics show the lighting.


Yellow Running Lights are always on with key.


White driving lights (from the handlebar switch) show above the Yellow Running Lights. Look the same when viewing the light, but they project separately. This is with Low Beams Driving and Running Lights.


With High Beams Running and Driving Lights. I aimed the Light pods for the Driving Lights to project between the High and Low Beams, and the Running lights to project below the Low Beam. Will see how this works out.

[Bulldog9]

ONBOARD TPMS - I've been a TPMS fan for at least the last 10 years. The piece of mind, ability to quick check, and monitor while on the road has become essential. GONE are the days of chasing that 'weird' feeling when riding and thinking I had a tire losing pressure when it was just oddities on the road.

Like most, I've been mounting systems that have the screw on caps and a pod/receiver. I knew that the V85 had a TPMS option, but it was about $200 and needed labor/time to install the sensors inside the rim. I THOUGHT that in order to add the Guzzi TPMS Module you had to have PADS to get the Dash to recognize it but the folks at De Byl Tech have that figured out. Bill Hagan was telling me back in May that he bought an aftermarket system that was plug and play with screw on caps for $150.

5 Minute Install, works flawlessly. There is also an App that lets you tune and control how the sensors work, warning points, and battery level.

https://debyltech.com/products/db-tp

Display on Dash




Mounts to stock TPMS location underseat.




Screenshot of App


ms-mogu-ble/

Highly Recommend if you have an E5 V85.

[Bulldog9]

UPDATE on the De Byle Tech TPMS.

I noticed that the pressures on the tires read high with the TPMS, about 5-6 lbs high. I had just topped the tires off before putting the DBT system on and the digital pressure gauge on my pump is usually spot on and matched the old TPMS, so I pulled off the caps, checked pressures with 2 gauges and confirmed they were at the expected 36 & 40.  Reconnected the caps and found that they still ran high. Thankfully in the APP there is an ability to set the calibration rate. Hoping they stay in calibration.

I had to adjust the sensors adding 240 (of something I dont know what) to get the pressure reading to be correct.




Correct Pressures indicated




INCORRECT pressures indicated


 

[Huzo]

Well, I completed the first service on the V85. A very nice motorcycle, but I think I need a larger windscreen for longer and higher speeds. I also want to drop the forks in the TT, and see if removing the center bash plate will lower temps around my shins and feet. The V85 is hotter on my shins than any other Guzzi.  I'm very happy. I am surprised how hot it is in hot weather and slow riding, especially the right leg. MTF

I also wired in the Greg bender relay and power lead and wired up the LED lights. They are a unique unit. The Yellow are my DRLs and wired to switched power so always on, and the white are wired through the relay to the handlebar switch. They project flat yellow and white beams and the headlight fills in the center. I still have to wire in the rear tail light.

I REALLY like The Zard Exhaust. The sound and look are perfect. I am experimenting with DB reducers in and out. At idle is sounds like a twin can, and has a V8 pattern.

This was the Zard
https://youtu.be/ji_1RUDuRIg?si=Y2sbRWMmjGc6VFh0
This is the Mivv
https://youtu.be/W9ulUhJgVwk?feature=shared

[Bulldog9]

Another update on my v85.

I'm at about 1,500 mi now and 500 mi past the first service. The bike is running very well and I can see why so many people love this motorcycle.

I stumbled upon a great deal for a set of Agostini cat bypass pipes. Put them on a couple days ago. I could immediately tell that the fueling was lean mid-range was missing and even though there was not a lot of popping and backfiring on decel, I decided to buy the mistral V-Twin spoofer. I pulled the fuse to reset the fuel trims and went on a 75 mile ride today. The motor seems very happy.

I also decided to not replace the center bash plate and to swap out the header guards for carbon fiber. I'm not a huge carbon fiber fan, but because the zard came with a carbon fiber shield, mounting strap, and the end cap is carbon fiber, I decided to order a set. My first and hopefully only AliExpress purchase. Of course, I expected them to come from China and arrive sometime in September, but they actually came in 3 days. Right in time with the mistrel V-Twin plug.

Very happy with the results.




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The quality of the carbon fiber heat shields is actually very good and looks to be true carbon fiber and not just tape over plastic as I expected them to be. It also came with Arapovic plates  ... Lol




Wanted to give an update on a few things.
1. Removing the catalytic converter has completely removed. The baking heat coming from the cat. Spent some time today in stop-and-go traffic, mainly waiting to get gas at Costco. Virtually. No heat coming from around my foot pegs in 80° temperature. Very happy
2. That said, I do feel warmth or heat coming from the pipes or heads while riding. Not major or serious and I was wearing chess jeans with some old army boots. Not my normal riding pants and Boots. Not a problem, but notable as there's more heat from this than any of my other Moto Guzzis.
3. I confirmed that the v85 does indeed have turn signal cancellation. It will shut off the turn signal at about 3/10 of a mile. While I think this is helpful, I think it should be 2/10 of a mile for the auto cancellation. Also, it will not cancel if you are sitting still.
4. One thing that I have a complaint about which is truly a first world problem is that I wish they would have put the cruise control toggle on the right side and the menu toggle on the left side. This would bring it in line with my other Guzzis with menu options. First, because I use the menu toggle far more often than I do the cruise control and muscle memory has me always flicking up and down the cruise control toggle to go through the menu options. I find having to move my hand and use my thumb while also controlling the throttle to go through the menu options, trip meter, and now the TPMS less than ideal. Not a big deal, but I think it would make much more sense to have All throttle operations on the throttle side.
5. I raised the forks two lines and backed the rear preload off to the third stop from the 4th. It lowered the bike enough so that I can swing a leg over the seat without stepping on the peg.
6. The Zard pipe with db reducers in and the Ago pipes is about the same noise wise as the mistral pipe on the Stornello. Great burble and deep idle note, nice bark on acceleration and zero droning when cruising along. I set the cruise control at 40 50 60 and 70 several times today and while cruising I can hear the exhaust, but there is no droaning nor is it distracting. It is pretty loud at slow speeds and stop and go City traffic, but once underway it mellows and quiets down nicely. I only have about 500 mi on the exhaust and I expect it to mellow out as more miles are put on it.
7. As I've said before, I'm very impressed with the power and torque of this motor. It's definitely not big block 1200 cc power like the Norge has, especially at higher speeds, but it is definitely a fantastic motor.

The only thing I really want to add still is a clip-on wing for the standard adventure windscreen. It's adequate and gives me a clean stream in my face, but I would like a little bit more wind protection but don't want to mount a barn door. I'll still hold off on this to see what it's like if I get caught in the rain and long distance multiple day trips etc. I also have to figure out how to wire in my rear accessory tail/ brake light. The negative switching makes the normal tap and go options questionable. I have found that there is a plug and Play kit to use, but I think I'm just going to ride for now.